AWARDS — Derrick Marr and Christie DeHart were recently awarded two of the highest honors from Lee University’s Helen DeVos College of Education. From left are Dr. Debbie Murray, dean of the HDCOE; Marr; DeHart; and Dr. Gary Riggins.
Marr received the Gary L. Riggins Graduate Writing Award, and DeHart, the Cliff Schimmels Superior Performance Award.
Both students graduated from Lee’s master of arts in teaching program in July.
The Gary L. Riggins award was established in honor of the director of the HDCOE graduate programs.
Dr. Riggins, director and professor of education, has served at Lee in various roles since 1992. The award is given annually to the graduate student who submits the most excellent thesis. Marr’s thesis was “Beyond the Test: Teaching for Social Formation and Social Justice in a Standards-Based Curriculum.”
The Cliff Schimmels Superior Performance Award is presented annually in memorial to Dr. Cliff Schimmels, a former professor in the HDCOE. Schimmels passed away in May of 2001 after 10 years at Lee. He was beloved by students and faculty and known for his passion and brilliance in teaching, writing, and cross-cultural education.
